Suicide of bullied teen hits home for Kamloops student
The suicide of a bullied Lower Mainland teen this week that has made headlines across North America has hit very close to home for one Thompson Rivers University student.
Amanda Todd, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student from Coquitlam, killed herself on Oct. 10, weeks after posting a video on YouTube recounting her struggles with bullies and self-harm.
First-year TRU arts student Rebecca Mole, who is also on the WolfPack cheerleading team, said she mentored Todd in 2009 at a high-level Vancouver cheerleading gym.
The 19-year-old told KTW she found out through Facebook about Todd's death.
"She was so sweet," she said.
"She was quiet, but one of those people who had a smile on her face and was excited to do new things and learn new things.
"It's hard to know now what she was going through. She was one of those girls who might not have been the loudest, but she was one of the sweetest girls I've met."
Mole said she expects her former gym, Vancouver All-Stars, to set up some sort of tribute to Todd.
Mounties in the Lower Mainland, meanwhile, have said they are investigating the circumstances leading to the teen's death.
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